Tharanga, who did not play on the recent Test tour of Australia, has been included in Sri Lanka's 14 for the first Test starting at the Asgiriya stadium in Kandy on Saturday.

The 22-year-old, with 13 Tests behind him, is one of the contenders for the batting spot left vacant by former captain Marvan Atapattu, who retired after the Australian series.

Openers Tharanga and Mahela Udawatte gave the hosts a good start with a 55-run stand for the first wicket when Hoggard broke through by having Udawatte caught by a diving Michael Vaughan at mid-on.

Test discard Malinda Warnapura, who made his debut in the previous home series against Bangladesh in June, hit four boundaries in 16 when he tickled a ball from seamer Ravi Bopara to the wicket-keeper.

The hosts, who went to lunch at 109-2, suffered a setback seven runs later when captain Tillekeratne Dilshan was dismissed by Harmison for 23.

Dilshan, who was overlooked for the Australian tour and failed to make the squad for the first Test, smashed three fours and a six when he mis-hit a bouncer and was caught at mid-on.

Tharanga was denied a second successive century against the tourists when he edged a drive from James Anderson and was snapped up by Ian Bell in the slips.

Chamara Kapugedera, who made 141 in the previous tour game, managed only 13 when he flicked Hoggard to Bopara in the short mid-wicket region.

Jehan Mubarak (68) and wicket-keeper Kaushal Silva (53) boosted the total by adding 105 for the sixth wicket.